BEACHWOOD, Ohio –- Despite scrutiny from Beachwood residents, City Council on Monday night moved forward with legislation necessary to make the proposed Beachwood Place expansion project a reality.

City Council voted to place ordinances to change the zoning restrictions for properties on the east side of Richmond Road north of George Zeiger Drive and to amend the city’s codified ordinances regarding the shopping center district classification on their second readings.

The votes, however, were not unanimous, with councilman Brian Linick -- embroiled in a bitter campaign to unseat Mayor Merle Gorden -- voting against both measures.

“I am not opposed to Beachwood Place making improvements to their property, but before I am able to make a determination about the restaurants and barriers by the residential area, I want to see an elevation that shows the residents what they can expect it will look like.” Linick said. “… We’ve seen site plans, but an elevation is more of what it will look like when standing on the street.”

City Council members made the decisions after hearing a presentation from representatives of General Growth Properties detailing the latest changes to the site plan. GGP is the Chicago-based company that owns Beachwood Place.

GGP representatives told city officials they did not have time to draw up renderings of the new elevation because changes were made during the weekend.

The dispute between residents and GGP involves a 7- to 9-foot concrete wall that separates homes on Richmond Drive from the shopping center. The site plan calls for the wall to be removed to make room for the expansion. The previous plan replaced the wall with a small lake. After meeting with residents during the weekend, company representatives agreed to scrap plans for the lake, and instead, add a 3-foot berm and numerous trees along the route where the wall now stands. Glenn Kuenzler, a spokesman for residents in the area, said the new plans still do not meet residents’ needs.

“Our main issues are safety, sight and sound,” Kuenzler said. “The wall completely blocks out the sound from the traffic and the headlights. It also keeps people at the shopping center from entering into the backyards of the homes.”

GGP owns land along Richmond Road. By rezoning the property to permit shopping-center development and removing the deed restrictions, the mall owner hopes to make room for a 77,000-square-foot expansion, additional parking and three free-standing restaurants.

The motions to change the zoning restrictions and the city’s codified ordinances must pass three readings. Beachwood residents will have another chance to voice their opinions about the matter during a City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 18, when a public hearing will be held. GGP representatives said they will have drawings showing the new proposed elevations available before the public hearing.

GGP currently is circulating a petition seeking signatures needed to hold a special election in May for voters to decide about the proposed zoning amendments and changes to the city’s codified ordinances. Company representatives said they will turn to voters for approval if Beachwood City Council does not approve the measures.